OK, so everyone has written a "When the Lights Went Out" story, so this one assumes they didn't get together the first night after the lights went out. It starts the next morning in Ashford Castle, Ireland. As Angie says, Disclaimer: Blah Blah Blah….
Steele Morning
Vol. 1; Ch. 1
By R.J. Harrington,
Laura lay nestled in piles of deep purple sheets, staring at the canopy that covered the bed. She pulled the bedspread to her shoulder to warm her bare skin chilled by the brisk castle air, and turned to look at him.
She had understood his need the night before to forego the love making they had desired for more than four years, to comfort the man who had lost his father. But, she had to admit she was more than a little relieved by the whole experience since she was unsure and unsettled by what came next. Despite telling herself, and him, otherwise, she still wasn't convinced he wouldn't leave her. Just as her old fear threatened to grasp her once more, his eyes opened and struggled to focus in the morning sunlight that slipped around the edge of the heavy curtains in the master bedroom of Ashford Castle. He smiled a sleepy smile and brushed the back of his hand across her cheek.
"Good morning, Mrs. Steele," he whispered.
She couldn't help but smile. She wondered if he knew how well he could disarm her; to cheer her spirit no matter the circumstance. She figured he did.
"Good morning, Mr. Steele. Sleep well?"
"I slept with the most beautiful woman finally wrapped in my arms in a most beautiful setting. Slept like a baby."
"Ah," Laura said with her impish grin.
He pulled her closer to tap his lips on her bare shoulder.
"And, how about you, your Ladyship?"
"Oh, fine," she forced as she moved to slide her legs out of bed.
Remington grabbed her wrist. "Laura?" She couldn't look at him.
"Is it about last night? My mood, Daniel, getting in the way; something coming between us . . . again? If so, I'm sor…" She interrupted, "No, that's not it."
Tears welled in her eyes. She struggled to keep them from falling as he sat up and turned to face her on the edge of the bed.
"Then, what is it?"
Laura started to laugh and cry at the same time. All of the emotions she'd held in check for four years – the thrill of finding him in Remington Steele's office and not following the stolen jewels to San Francisco, the itchiness she felt but knew she had to control, the warmth she felt every time they slow danced in front of the fireplace or kissed in the Auburn. The annoyances, the thrill, the adventure. It all hit at once.
Remington sat stunned and bewildered, not quite sure how to react. He had never seen this much emotion from the woman who prided herself in organization, control and hard work. Laura finally stopped long enough to speak. Her smile and tear-streaked face reminded him of the rainy night in his living room when his story of Xenos and his possibilities had broken her despair.
"I'm scared," she said as her hands moved down her face and he reached to steady them in his. "I know it's stupid and I know we've worked to get to this point, but I have so much to lose. I'm in too deep and I'm scared."
Remington kissed her hand and waited for her to go on.
In a rapid, rambling tone, Laura continued. "I'm going to say something I never thought I'd say and I want you to know that once I say it, there's no going back. Once I let myself feel what I'm feeling and stop fighting the fear and anxiety of being hurt; to let go of the pain of my father leaving and Wilson, that you might be overwhelmed by what you find."
Remington was so excited he could hardly contain it, but he didn't want to scare Laura further, so he smiled a toothy grin; his blue eyes shining in the sunlight.
"I might surprise you," he assured her.
"OK, well here it goes."
She pulled her legs back onto the bed to face him and sat with them crossed; her white gown pulled above her knees; her hands in his. She took a deep breath and sighed. "I love you. I've loved you longer than I care to admit. I was too scared to let go, to be wild and crazy Laura. But, if we're going to take that next step, cross that line, I want to do it completely."
She looked at him, begging with her eyes for some reaction.
Remington put his hand on the side of Laura's face in a tender gesture that spoke more in silence than any words could. Now, HE didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Laura," he smiled and stopped to collect his thoughts. "I have never felt about anyone the way I feel for you. At first, it scared me too and confused me, since you were like no other woman I had ever met. You had spunk and fire and a naivety that was captivating. I couldn't get enough; I still can't."
He lifted her chin to look into her sweet blood-shot brown eyes.
"I love you, Laura."
That was it. All of the fear washed away, and holding hands didn't seem to be enough anymore.
They leaned across Laura's legs to kiss gently, then sat back and paused to look at each other. His dark hair was disheveled with a few wisps hanging across his forehead; his gold medallion nestled in his chest. Laura's now darker hair curved at her shoulders, and one strap of her gown had fallen to the side.
As he had done so many times before, Remington grasped Laura's face in his hands and kissed her; the kiss growing more passionate with each touch.
Laura wrapped her arms around his neck and he lowered her onto the purple satin. He kissed her shimmering eyes, her cheek, her neck. She closed her eyes as she struggled to breathe. As his warm breath passed her ear, he whispered "I love you."
She giggled as her hands met his at the buttons of her nightgown, both racing to lose their clothes. Despite their effort to take it slow, it was becoming increasingly difficult. She wanted to feel his warm skin against hers; to finally give herself completely to the man who had surpassed everything she ever imagined.
He lifted her gown over her head, and they both worked his pajama pants to end of the bed. The now bright sunlight offered both a clear view, and they smiled. They had both wondered many times what was under those $800 suits and silk skirts from Saint-Tropez West. They touched and explored and satisfied their curiosities.
When the moment finally arrived, it was effortless and sweet. The intensity was overwhelming. In exhaustion (emotionally and physically), Remington collapsed with his head resting on Laura's shoulder. Their skin was glistening and both worked to slow their breathing.
Laura couldn't help the tears in her eyes. The joy was almost too much to handle. They moved to face each other, resting on their sides, arms wrapped around the other. Remington propped himself onto his elbow and rested his head in his palm just high enough to look down on Laura's flushed face. She had such natural beauty.
"That was amazing Mrs. Steele," Remington said as he brushed her hair from above her eyes and kissed her forehead.
"You weren't too bad yourself, Mr. Steele," she retorted with a smile.
They kissed gently. Both wore a slight grin as they looked over each others eyes, lips, hair, shoulders; more out of disbelief than anything.
After caressing Laura's arm, Remington's gaze returned to her eyes.
"Instead of rushing down to a breakfast of boiled potato and room-temperature water, what would you say to a mid-morning nap?" he offered as he ran his fingers through her hair.
Laura smiled. "I'm sure your motives are pure."
Knowing that Mildred, Mikline and the others would be returning to the castle in a few hours, the newlyweds nestled in the dark purple sheets of the castle's master suite to enjoy the warmth, and to rest before starting their new life.
To Be Continued
